Isaac Pirolo

9.3

Leviathan is the creation of husband and wife team Andy Erickson and Annie Favia-Erickson. They also collaborate on their Favia label, each bringing a resume boasting serious cult winery experience. Andy has spent time as winemaker at Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle, Ovid, Dancing Hares and Arietta, with prior work at Harlan and Staglin, while Annie got her start with John Kongsgaard and Cathy Corison, before spending more than a decade as a viticulturist with David Abreu. The San Francisco Chronicle’s Jon Bonné said about the Ericksons, “Together they could probably create a 98-point wine in their sleep.” Their 2012 Leviathan is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, and 14% Syrah all coming from Northern California, and mostly from Napa. There’s no dispute that this is rich and extracted, but there’s an underlying savoriness that balances out this fruit bomb. Blackberry, black cherry, licorice, mocha, cigar box, crème de cassis, and sweet tannins that carry with them that savory herbaceousness. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This is an elegant, feminine beauty. It's a back to back night of 2003. On the nose, liqueured black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, warm, slightly chard toast, anise, black cherry licorice, baking spices and dark fresh & dry florals. The mouthfeel is resolved, rich and elegant. Fruits of; black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, a blend of black raspberries & raspberries. Bright vanillin, cinnamon, medium spice, toast, bright red florals, violets, dark & milk chocolate, rich, moist loamy soils, touch of crushed rocks, delicate volcanic minerals, mouthwatering acidity and a polished, rich finish that lasts & lasts. This is somewhere around it's peak. It's incredibly delicious! Photos of; their beautiful vineyards, amazing Italian style villa estate and front entrance. Producer history and notes...Blankiet was started by Claude & Katherine Blankiet in 1996 with 46 acres ranging over several volcanic hills above the town of Yountville. I believe Claude made his first big money as the creator of Stone Washed Jeans. David Abreu was hired to develop the land and Helen Turley made their first eight vintages. The winery is connected to a deep underground network of caves and were designed by architect John Lail. Blankiet’s current winemaker is Bordelais Denis Malbec, the former cellar master at Chateau Latour. Blankiet is located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Their Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are planted in volcanic soils while the Merlot is planted in gravelly-clay alluvial soils. Blankiet has great Terrior locations and have spared no expense in their winemaking facilities. If you haven't had their wines, they are definitely worth acquiring. — 8 years ago

George Chen

9.0

Drink like Abreu wine which is seamless and smooth ripe with Napa fruit. Very enjoyable albeit for me needs to develop and hope it ages to show more personality. — 9 years ago

David L

9.3

13' Entre Nous Sauvignon Blanc. Golden in color. Orange zest, lemon peel, pear. Minerality & nice crisp, not overwhelming acidity throughout the glass. Impressive creamy texture's on the back of the palate. One of my favorite Sauvignon Blanc I've had out of Napa Valley . Philippe Melka has this thing on cruise control. Also teaming up with David Abreu & Jim Barbour. Drink this at cellar temperature, if not warmer! Get some of this. Can't wait to try the rest of the wines! What a pleasant surprise. — 9 years ago

Pete Contaldi

9.2

'Cemetery' is Les Behrens wine sourced from Abreu-Cappella Vineyard in St. Helena. The most aromatic and elegant wine I've ever had from Behrens (B&H, Erna Schein, Behrens Family) but not lacking in structure and concentration. Beautiful wine. — 9 years ago

Mike Mayer

9.5

You rarely go wrong with anything Heidi Barrett and David Abreu touch. An interesting Bordeaux blend with notes of dark fruit, leather and spice. A long great finish follows. Tannins are subtle but I think this wine can age for a long time. A very nice wine. — 9 years ago

with Lisa

Felipe Ferreiro

Sommelier/Wine Director Restaurante Las Rias Bajas

8.9

Capa alta y densidad, en nariz vainilla notas muy espaciadas, humo. En boca potente estructurado y buen final. — 10 years ago

with Victor, luis and 4 others

Mike Davila

9.6

Great structure too young but amazing big restrained fruit. Nose is coco, dark fruits, big structured mouthfeel needs some time finishers with big tannin. Needs more time pop and pour should have decanted. — 10 years ago

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

9.8

Wall Road vineyard is the old Carr Vineyard after it had been sold. 1 last time - Dave Abreu farmed it.
— 11 years ago

with Patz and Sung

V M

9.1

Drank following abreu and yet this held her own. Flavors of dark cherry dried flowers and vanilla with a silky smooth finish — 12 years ago

Richard Adams

9.9

The ‘17 UHE wine dinner...
Marcassin ‘11, La Mouline ‘99, Cheval Blanc ‘00, Margaux ‘00, Maya ‘02, Palmer ‘66, Promotory ‘09, Abreu ‘07 — 7 years ago

David L

9.5

05' All Abreu Vineyards. @Ron R Loving this wine buddy. Thanks again for the invite! -at Restaurant North Armonk, NY — 8 years ago

with Ron

Anthony Biagi

Winemaker Hourglass, Owner Patria

9.3

Classic Thackery wine. Vineyard is situated between Abreu Madrona and spottswoode winery (spottswoode vineyard across street). Sean says he thinks it's Syrah, walked the vineyard and have seen a lot of Petite but what a site. Classic camphor tinged that screams thackery as the Eukalptus that covers his bolinas winery always finds its way in. He always had a knack for finding the best sites. Such an original — 8 years ago

with Benoit

Paul Casey

9.5

Showing beautifully, big dark fruit with a long finish. A great wine, full of life 16 years in... — 8 years ago

with Zac

George Chen

9.0

02 vintage with John Upton who sold vineyard to Duckhorn recently. I always felt Three Palms was one of great alluvial fans in terroir as the Napa River tributes into this land. And the traditional vineyard management by John and Sloan was pure old world. No Abreu stuff here. But really the only age-worthy Merlot in CA. This bottle still tight but well made and can last 20 more years. — 9 years ago

David L

9.7

06' Barnard Magrez Cabernet. 83% CB 12% CF 5%PV. WOW... A rare bottle indeed. This was sourced from the famous Vineyard Thorevilos (Abreu). Aaron Pott was its winemaker in 2006.

A 2 hour + on the decanting. All the elegant black fruit you can imagine in this glass. A 30+ finish. It's certainly in the discussion of one of the finest 2006's I've had out of Napa. Drinking well now & has another 20+ great years in it.

Barnard Magrez is now sourcing there fruit from Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyards. If you didn't get enough Realm Dr. Crane 12/13's. Hell… just want to add another great wine! This certainly could be a viable option(wish list). Benoit Touquette is "NOW" the winemaker😉👍!!

I'm not saying the 12 & 13's are another Realm Dr. Crane. They're the same winemaker & sourcing🤔. Just a thought... — 9 years ago

David L

9.3

Eligent & smooth. Outstanding effort for an 11' WOW... The SB is flipping amazing Heidi Barrett/David Abreu! Get some! — 9 years ago

Felipe Ferreiro

Sommelier/Wine Director Restaurante Las Rias Bajas

8.9

Capa media y densidad baja, en nariz fresa no muy madura, flores . En boca buena entrada y buen paso, tánico buen secante y final a levadura. — 10 years ago

with Victor, luis and 4 others

Joan Alberni

9.5

Garnatxa negra.Maury fet per Joseph, besnet del gran Dr. Parcé. Vermell cirera quasi negre amb aromes de cirera i fruits vermells. Robust i tànic molt equilibrat de sucres, gens empalagós. Persistent amb final de torrats conservant el gust de fruita vermella. Espectacular amb xocolata. Diví. — 10 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.3

David Abreu planted this part of the vineyard took 2 years to clear the rock — 11 years ago

Kevin Ortzman

9.0

Aubert typically known for their Chard (which is awesome) has a masterpiece red with this Boudreaux blend. Raspberry jam with a toasty vanilla and milk chocolate finish. Still young, but incredibly balanced and smooth. — 8 years ago

with Frank and ADAM

Ron R

9.3

ABreu fruit. This has shed its puppy-fat. Much more ethereal presentation. Lovely cedar notes, complemented by lightly roasted coffee.
On the palette, the wine is clean and pure. Nice density with oodles of barrel toast. Ripe black cherry fruit act as a perfect counter-point. Beautiful tannins with bright acidity. Very enjoyable. — 8 years ago

with David

Bill Bender

9.4

This is a behemoth!! Dense and chewy after a 4 hour decant. Extremely dark and inky in the glass, crushed rocks, blackberry, toasted oak. This reminds me of an Abreu Madrona Ranch. A rich, hedonistic beauty but I would say it's at least 5-8 years from it's optimum drinking window. Hold or decant. — 8 years ago

David L

9.3

13' Notary Public Chenin Blanc. Annual pool party. You won't see Abreu/ Dana/ Colgin tonight. One of the best Cali CB. Recommend highly!!! I'll only post what I like. Cheers to me! — 9 years ago

V M

9.8

Wine is a perfect example when u mix a fruit forward wine maker with a difficult and cold vintage. This is up there with Colgin and Abreu for the best of the 2011s which as a vintage weren't my style of wine except for a handful of exceptions. This wine has 0.0 green notes which I hate. It's nose is fresh cut Violet's and wild flowers. Palate is silky smooth (low tannins) notes of mountain berries but without the usual Bevan fruit forwardness. Nice acidity makes the mouth water but not at all offensive. Nuanced notes of dark plum and pipe tobacco make an appearance as well. I can't see this getting any better with age. It drinks like an aged Bevan already. Beautiful wine. Prob the wine of the vintage ahead of the handful who did well in 2011. Well done Russell! — 9 years ago

Curtis Osborn

9.8

Curtis had this 9 years ago

V M

9.8

Fairchild's stones number 1 is a tiny production brilliant wine. Big beautiful fruit this wine is a deep dark ruby red. Reminds me of abreu the way it drinks more like a fine liquor. The nose is beautiful and fragrant with notes of fresh cut honeysuckle and warm cherry pie. Simply outstanding nose. Palate is cherries, berries cut with a streak of formidable toasted wood tannins which will loosen. Finish goes on and on with soy and a touch of smoke. Special wine — 10 years ago

Alex Copetti de Araujo

8.9

De cor rubi intensa, belas pernas. Um aroma predominantemente frutado (aromas, ameixas, framboesas maduras), especiarias picantes, madeira fresca e alguma erva. Acidez alta, taninos médios e macios, álcool alto, porém em balanço. Vinho pronto pra beber, mas pode melhoras em uns 3 anos. Preço alto. Muito bom vinho — 10 years ago

Nik Darlington

9.0

Delicious native Portuguese white blend — 10 years ago

Chris Morgan

Sommelier The Oceanaire Seafood Room

9.1

David Abreu and Heidi Barrett — 12 years ago